PCLA Blog

Empowering the SoCal Parkinson’s Community with Helpful Guides, Articles, and Educational Resources.

Vocal Exercises for PD: Benefits & Resources

Vocal Exercises for PD: Benefits & Resources

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder affecting movement, muscle control, and balance. However, its impact isn't limited to just physical aspects. PD can also significantly affect voice and speech. This is where the importance of vocal...

Exploring the Link Between Pneumonia & PD

Exploring the Link Between Pneumonia & PD

According to a 2020 study, pneumonia is the leading cause of death and the most common reason for hospital admissions in people living with Parkinson’s disease. Understanding the connection between Parkinson's disease and pneumonia, including its causes, treatments,...

Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Young-onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) is a growing subset of people who develop the disease at a younger age, typically between the ages of 21 and 50.  YOPD (sometimes referred to as early-onset Parkinson’s disease) impacts roughly 4% of the 1M people living with...

Can You Drive With Parkinson’s Disease?

Can You Drive With Parkinson’s Disease?

As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the accompanying symptoms may impact an individual’s ability to drive. This can be a sensitive and sometimes tricky topic. Since driving is associated with independence, people living with PD may view restrictions to driving as a...

What’s PCLA Planning in 2024?

What’s PCLA Planning in 2024?

Happy 2024! As we look to the year ahead, we’re excited to offer more expansive opportunities to connect with the Parkinson’s community in Los Angeles and beyond. This year will see more opportunities for in-person events, the annual LA Big 5K fundraiser (which can be...

A Look Back At 2023 With PCLA

A Look Back At 2023 With PCLA

As 2023 comes to a close, we look back with gratitude for our accomplishments as a community and a non-profit organization. This year marked several exciting shifts at PCLA, especially as we expanded our community resources via support groups and the Let’s Talk...

2023 Gift Guide For People With Parkinson’s

2023 Gift Guide For People With Parkinson’s

Gift-giving should be a joyful and fulfilling experience. If you have a person living with Parkinson’s disease on your shopping list, you may struggle to select a thoughtful gift that’s both appropriate and appreciated. We’re here to take some mystery out of the...

What Are the Environmental Risk Factors for PD?

What Are the Environmental Risk Factors for PD?

For a deep dive into the environmental risk factors of PD, check out our latest Let’s Talk Parkinson’s feature with Beate Ritz, MD, Ph.D., a Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences and Neurology at UCLA. The relationship between environmental...

Depression & Parkinson’s: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Depression & Parkinson’s: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Living with Parkinson’s disease can stir up a range of emotions. From receiving a diagnosis to managing the chronic symptoms of PD, it’s normal to experience impacts on your mental health. Depression, in particular, is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s...

PCLA News & Resources

A letter from Sarah King

A letter from Sarah King

To my friends in the Los Angeles Parkinson's community, It has been a pleasure to work with you over the last five years in my role with PCLA. I joined PCLA to form a deeper connection with families living with PD in our area, and to help you with the resources,...

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At-home fitness options for people with Parkinson’s

At-home fitness options for people with Parkinson’s

Looking for resources for exercising at home? There are a lot of great options out there, from pre-recorded videos you can watch on your own schedule, to live virtual group classes. Online exercise videos & YouTube channels PCLA’s Fun Fitness class on YouTube...

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Ralphs Community Rewards program now donates to PCLA

Ralphs Community Rewards program now donates to PCLA

PCLA is now enrolled in the Ralphs Community Rewards program, which means we earn donations when you shop for groceries!   HOW IT WORKS: If you have a Ralphs reward card, you can enroll in the Community Rewards Program with PCLA as your charity of choice. The...

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Resources for Parkinson’s research news

Resources for Parkinson’s research news

What to stay up-to-date on the latest in Parkinson's research news? Check out the following resources, and don't forget to join us on Thursday, July 28, for an update on the latest in research from Dr. Jeff Bronstein and his research team at UCLA. Watch Dr....

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A Tribute to Dad

A Tribute to Dad

Join PCLA in celebrating the amazing fathers in our community! Honor a dad you love -- and help family's living with Parkinson's disease -- by making a donation to PCLA in his name. Add a special message with your donation, if you like, and we will post it here. If...

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A Tribute to Moms

A Tribute to Moms

Join PCLA in celebrating the amazing mothers in our community! Honor a mom you love by making a donation to PCLA in her name.Add a special message with your donation, if you like, and we will post it here. If you'd like to include a photo, please email it to us...

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Calling all poets!

Calling all poets!

PCLA is looking for submissions for our forthcoming Living Artistically: The Poetry of Parkinson’s book, to be published this April in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month and National Poetry Month. We welcome submissions from anyone in the Parkinson’s community -...

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Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease

Cannabis and Parkinson’s Disease

Get the latest information regarding cannabis and parkinson's disease, presented at PCLA's annual "Life Beyond the Basics" conference.DOWNLOAD THE DECK Tap the button below to download a PDF copy of the presentationEVENT SPONSORS Thanks to our sponsors

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